Rio Tinto posts highest first-half Pilbara output since 2018; Q2 iron ore sales up 5%

Published: Jul 22, 2026 15:09

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Rio Tinto reported global iron ore sales of 89 million tonnes in the second quarter of 2026, up 5% year on year, in results released mid-July. Pilbara shipments reached 85.3mt for the quarter ended 30 June. The company said it achieved its highest first-half Pilbara iron ore production since setting a full-year record in 2018. Full-year 2026 Pilbara shipment guidance was left unchanged at 323–338 million tonnes. The result reflects steady ramp-up across replacement mines including Western Range, and continued progress at the Rio-led Simfer venture in Guinea's Simandou project. The stable guidance signals confidence in sustaining volumes despite soft pricing

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